EP3429831A1

EP3429831A1 - Device for the additive production of a three-dimensional object

Info

Publication number: EP3429831A1
Application number: EP17707549.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Frank Herzog
Original assignee: CL Schutzrechtsverwaltung GmbH
Current assignee: CL Schutzrechtsverwaltung GmbH
Priority date: 2016-03-18
Filing date: 2017-02-27
Publication date: 2019-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2037-02-27
Also published as: US20210268736A1; EP3429831B1; CN112936851A; US11007714B2; JP6744398B2; DE102016105097A1; US20190061242A1; WO2017157648A1; US11472103B2; EP3970951A1; CN107614246A; CN107614246B; JP2018525250A

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for the additive production of a three-dimensional object via the successive, layer-by-layer, selective exposure to light and accompanying selective solidification of construction material layers formed by a solidifiable construction material (2) in a construction plane (10) by means of at least one energy beam, comprising a housing structure (4) and a combined coating and light-exposure assembly (6) stationarily arranged or formed on the device-side housing structure (4), which assembly comprises a coating unit (8) that is configured for applying construction material (2) in the construction plane (10) and for forming construction material layers to be solidified in the construction plane (10), and a light-exposure unit (11) that is configured for the selective exposure to light of the respective construction material layers formed in the construction plane (10) by means of the coating unit (8), as well as a support unit (15) comprising at least one support element (16) including the construction plane (10) and mounted such that it can move in a horizontal movement plane relative to the combined coating and light-exposure assembly (6).

Description

"

- 1 -

Device for the additive production of a three-dimensional object

The invention relates to an apparatus for the additive production of a three-dimensional object by successive layerwise selective exposure and concomitant selective solidification of built in a building level layers of building material from solidifiable building material by means of at least one energy steel.

Such devices for the additive or generative production of three-dimensional objects are known per se. By means of corresponding devices, three-dimensional objects to be produced are constructed by successively layer-wise selective exposure and concomitant solidification of building material layers of solidifiable building material successively applied in a building plane in respective cross-sectional areas of the respective objects to be produced by means of an energy beam.

Known devices require due to their structural design, a separate implementation of coating and exposure processes; Thus, coating and exposure operations are performed separately from each other. These include, for example, devices with an optionally movably mounted exposure device and a carrier device arranged so as to be fixed in position in the horizontal direction, which comprises a carrier element comprising the construction plane. These devices are in need of further development in terms of reducing non-productive time or optimizing the construction time.

The invention has for its object to provide a contrast, in particular with regard to the reduction of non-productive times or an optimization of the construction time, improved apparatus for the additive production of a three-dimensional object.

The object is achieved by a device according to claim 1. The dependent claims relate to particular embodiments of the device. The object is further achieved by a method according to claim 17.

The device described herein serves for the additive production of at least one three-dimensional object, i. H. For example, a technical component or a technical component group, by successive layerwise selective exposure and concomitant selective solidification of individual layers of building material from a solidifiable building material by means of at least one energy beam.

The solidifiable building material may be a metal, plastic and / or ceramic powder. Under a metal, plastic or ceramic powder can also be understood in each case a powder mixture of different metals, plastics or ceramics. For a metal powder is valid in that it can also be a powder of at least one metal alloy. The energy beam may be a laser beam. The device may accordingly be a device for carrying out "

- 2 - selective laser melting process (short SLM process) or selective laser sintering process (short SLS process) act.

The successive layerwise selective exposure and the associated successive layerwise selective solidification of the building material layers to be consolidated to produce a three-dimensional object (hereinafter abbreviated to "object") are based on object-related building data The construction data describe the geometric or geometrical-constructive shape The construction data can be, for example, CAD data of the object to be manufactured or the building data can contain such.

The device comprises all function components typically required for carrying out additive construction processes. The functional components are typically arranged or arranged in a housing structure of the device, which may also be designated or to be considered as a machine housing.

The apparatus comprises at least one combined coating and exposure assembly (hereinafter abbreviated as "assembly") .The assembly comprises a coating device. The coating device is for performing material application operations for applying building material to the building level and performing coating operations to form selectively In a respective coating process, a specific amount of building material is typically applied to the building level in a particular coating operation. The coating device comprises at least one typically arranged above the construction level, in particular At least one application opening, which is typically closable via a closing element which can be moved between an open and closed position, comprises an application element for applying building material to the building level and at least one, typically blade-like, coating element ("coater blade") arranged above the building level ") to form a selectively exposed or selectively to be consolidated building material layer defined layer thickness.

In addition to the coating device, the assembly comprises an exposure device. The exposure device is designed to carry out exposure processes for the selective exposure and the associated selective solidification of building material layers formed by means of the coating device in the construction plane. In a respective exposure process, typically a building material layer formed by means of the coating device is selectively exposed and thus selectively solidified. The exposure device may comprise one or more exposure elements (e), which are typically arranged above the construction plane. For an exposure element can it may be a laser diode element or a laser element element coupled or coupled, in particular lenticular, optical element or a scanner element as part of a also to be designated as beam deflector optical scanner device or may be a corresponding exposure element at least one of said elements include. Due to the optionally variable beam properties of the laser beams that can be generated therewith, exposure elements in the form of laser diode elements can be particularly expedient. As will be seen below, laser diode elements, optionally combined in groups, can be arranged in rows and / or columns ("matrix-like").

The module is stationary or stationary, d. H. not movable, arranged or formed on the device-side housing structure. The assembly fixed to the device-side housing structure or formed assembly or the associated coating device and exposure device is therefore in a defined position, d. H. in particular at a defined distance, and a defined orientation relative to the building level. The position-fixed arrangement or design of the assembly does not exclude that the assembly, for. B. for service and / or repair purposes, if necessary, can be solved by the housing structure. The assembly can be releasably secured to the housing structure, wherein the assembly in the fixed state on the housing structure fixed in position, d. H. not movable, relative to the building level, is stored.

The device further comprises at least one carrier device. The carrier device comprises at least one the building level, d. H. the plane in which corresponding coating and exposure operations are performed, comprehensive support element. The typically a plate-like or -shaped geometric shape having support member is mounted movable in a horizontally oriented plane of movement or relative to the assembly. The respective movements of the carrier element in the horizontally aligned plane of movement or path are typically linear movements along a linear axis of movement (translation axis).

In order to realize respective movements of the carrier element in the horizontally oriented movement plane relative to the assembly, fundamentally different variants are possible.

In a first variant, the carrier element can be arranged or formed on or in a movably mounted, modular housing structure of the carrier device. In the first variant, the modular housing structure is movably mounted in the horizontally oriented movement plane relative to the assembly. So here is not the support element itself, but the entire modular housing structure on or in which the carrier element is arranged or formed, mounted in the horizontal direction relative to the assembly movable. Movements of the carrier element relative to the module result accordingly by movements of the modular housing structure relative to the module. The support element is at least in the horizontal direction stable on or in the modular "

- 4 -

Housing structure arranged or formed.

In a further variant, the carrier element can be arranged or formed in a positionally fixed relative to the module or formed, modular housing structure of the support means. In the further variant, the carrier element is mounted on or in the housing structure in the horizontally oriented movement plane movable relative to the assembly. Here, therefore, the carrier element is mounted movably in the horizontal direction relative to the assembly. Movements of the carrier element relative to the assembly result accordingly by actual movements of the support member relative to the modular housing structure. The module-like housing structure is at least in the horizontal direction fixed on or arranged in the device-side housing structure or formed.

In principle, a combination of the two aforementioned variants is possible.

In principle, the modular housing structure of the carrier device can be removed in the manner of a swap body from the device-side housing structure. The carrier device can therefore be removed as needed from the device-side housing structure and fastened, if necessary, to the device-side housing structure.

To drive, d. H. for displacing the support member or the modular housing structure of the support means into movement in the horizontally oriented plane of movement relative to the assembly, the apparatus typically comprises at least one drive means.

With regard to the first variant, the device comprises at least one drive device that can be coupled or coupled to the module-like housing structure of the carrier device and that is set up to generate a drive force that moves the modular housing structure of the carrier device in the horizontally oriented movement plane relative to the module. The drive device can, in addition to at least one (electric) motor drive unit, via which the actual drive force can be generated, at least one transmission unit coupled thereto, via which the generated drive force to the driven element, d. H. the modular housing structure or the carrier element is transferable, comprise. The drive device may be designed as a linear drive or comprise at least one such. Specifically, the drive device z. B. be designed as a crank or spindle drive or include such. To realize a guided movement of the modular housing structure in the horizontal plane of movement or web can, for. B. rail-like, guide means are arranged or formed on or in the device-side housing structure.

With regard to the second variant, it is accordingly true that the device has at least one drive device which can be coupled or coupled to the carrier element and which is used to generate a drive element is arranged which moves the carrier element in the horizontally oriented movement plane relative to the module. The drive device can also be here in addition to at least one (electric) motor drive unit, via which the actual driving force can be generated, at least one coupled thereto transfer unit, via which the generated driving force to the driven element, that is, the modular housing structure or the carrier element, transferable, include. The drive device can also be designed here as a linear drive or at least comprise such. Specifically, a drive device z. B. be designed as a crank or spindle drive or include such. To realize a guided movement of the support member in the horizontal plane of movement or web can, for. B. rail-like, guide means are arranged or formed on or in the modular housing structure. The guide devices can be movably mounted in the vertical direction in order to realize a lowering of the carrier element.

In addition to the described mobility in a horizontal plane of movement or path, the carrier element can therefore also be movably mounted relative to the module in at least one further plane of movement or movement. Such another plane of motion is typically vertically aligned. The respective movements of the carrier element in the vertically aligned plane of movement or trajectory are typically linear movements along a linear axis of movement (translation axis) which are characteristic of corresponding additive manufacturing processes after a coating and exposure process has been carried out. With regard to the drive devices required for moving the carrier element in the vertically oriented plane of movement, the statements in connection with the movement of the carrier element in the horizontally aligned movement plane relative to the assembly apply analogously.

The structural design of the device described herein allows the movement of a structural element comprising the construction plane relative to a combined coating and exposure device. The movement of the support member relative to the assembly takes place in a horizontal plane of movement or web; the carrier element is thus movable back and forth similar to the principle of a plotter. It is essential that, as will be explained in more detail below, both coating and exposure processes can be carried out with respective movements of the carrier element relative to the assembly. A movement of the carrier element relative to the assembly thus enables at least sections, in particular complete, formation of a defined layer of building material as well as an at least partially, in particular complete, selective exposure of the formed construction material layer. The coating and the exposure takes place in each case during the horizontal movement of the carrier element relative to the assembly. The device thus allows the simultaneous performance of coating and exposure processes, so that idle or non-productive times reduced, possibly even eliminated, and construction times can be optimized accordingly. The positionally fixed arrangement or construction of the assembly, ie the coating and exposure device, also simplifies adjustment operations of these devices since the assembly is typically locatable or arranged in "only" a defined position and orientation relative to the building plane The assembly relative to the building level is optimized with respect to the coating structure so that the construction material layer which can be formed via respective coating elements has a desired layer properties, in particular a desired layer thickness. so that the energy beam, which can be generated via respective exposure elements, with desired beam properties, ie, for example, a desired intensity, impinges on a respective building material layer to be selectively exposed or hardened Typically, they are adjusted only once to be accurately positioned relative to the build plane.

Overall, there is an improved apparatus for the additive production of three-dimensional objects, in particular with regard to the reduction or optimization of the construction time.

The position-fixed arrangement or design of the assembly on the front-side housing structure can be achieved by a receiving structure attached to the housing structure, in which at least the assembly, i. H. the coating device and the exposure device, structurally integrated or designed, may be realized. By arranging or forming the coating means and the exposure means in the receiving structure, a structurally compact configuration of the assembly is provided. By attaching the receiving structure to the front-side housing structure, precise positioning and alignment of the coating device and the exposure device relative to the building plane are provided. For this purpose, the receiving structure may be equipped with suitable fastening elements, which are adapted to the receiving structure, for. B. positive and / or non-positively fastened to suitable counter-fastening elements of the anticipatory side housing structure. With appropriate fasteners may be traction elements, d. H. z. B. bolt-like threaded elements, act, which a frictional attachment of the receiving structure to suitable counter-fastening elements, d. H. z. B. threaded holes allow the anticipatory side housing structure. Of course, a reverse configuration is also possible.

The receiving structure may comprise separate receiving compartments for receiving functional elements associated with the coating means, ie, for example, respective application elements and respective, in particular blade-like or coating elements, and for receiving functional elements associated with the exposure device, ie, for example, respective exposure elements, in particular designed as laser diode elements, include. Thus, there may be separate receiving compartments for respective application, coating and exposure elements, which is the exact positioning and orientation of the coating means mentioned above and the exposure device is useful relative to the building plane.

In the recording structure, d. H. in respective receiving compartments provided for this purpose, functional elements of further functional components of the device can additionally be arranged or formed. Individual, multiple or all functional elements of further functional components of the device can thus be arranged or formed structurally integrated in the receiving structure in addition to the functional elements of the assembly. A corresponding arrangement or design of respective functional elements of further functional components of the device equally requires that these further functional elements are arranged or formed in a fixed position on the device-side housing structure:

A arranged in a (further) receiving compartment of the receiving structure or formed and thus positionally fixed to the device-side housing structure or formed further functional component of the device may, for. The suction device comprises at least one suction element, by means of which a suction flow can be formed, which is designed to suck up process material dissolved from a building material layer ("spatter") The suction element can be traversed or flowed through by a suction flow and correspondingly coupled to a flow generation device, ie, for example, a pump device At least one through-opening may be formed for the passage of an energy beam generated by the exposure device The suction element may be an elongated, in particular tubular, optionally funnel-shaped, shaped have formal shape.

A further functional component of the device arranged or formed in a (further) receiving compartment of the receiving structure and thus arranged fixedly on the device-side housing structure or formed can (alternatively or in addition) be provided, for example. B. a smoothing and / or flattening device, which is adapted for at least partially smoothing and / or flattening a selectively solidified building material layer, be. The smoothing and / or flattening device comprises at least one smoothing and / or flattening element, by means of which it can act on a selectively solidified building material layer, in order to prevent building process-related unevenness in the building material layer, i. H. z. B. crater-like elevations to remove in the building material layer, d. H. the building material layer, to smooth or level before it is formed on this another building material layer. The smoothing and / or planarization element may, for. B. as a squeegee or as an optionally rotatable drivable, grinding element ("grinding roller") may be formed.

A disposed or formed in a (further) receiving compartment of the receiving structure or formed and thus positionally fixed to the device-side housing structure or trained further functional component of the device can (alternatively or additionally) z. B. a detection device, which is adapted to detect at least one of the quality of a to be consolidated and / or a selectively solidified building material layer, ie in particular whose surface descriptive detection size, be. The detection device comprises at least one detection element, by means of which image data of a building material layer to be consolidated and / or a selectively solidified can be recorded. The detection element can, for. B. as an optical image pickup element, in particular a camera, be formed. Recorded image data can be evaluated qualitatively or quantitatively by means of suitable evaluation algorithms with regard to certain acquisition quantities describing the quality of the building material layer. With appropriate detection variables, it may be the quality of the building material layer influencing characteristics, ie, for example, bumps such. B. crater-like elevations, irregularities, etc., a building material layer act. The recorded and possibly correspondingly evaluated image data can be visualized by means of suitable visualization algorithms, so that a two- or three-dimensional (topological) image, in particular the surface, of a building material layer can be created and displayed on a suitable display device, which optionally forms a component of the device.

Respective receiving compartments of the receiving structure can be detachably connected or connected to one another by forming the receiving structure, in particular in the horizontal direction (damage-free or non-destructive). The receiving structure can therefore be made up of individual interconnectable receiving compartments as needed, and therefore can be upgraded or disassembled if necessary. At appropriate receiving compartments suitable fasteners are arranged or formed for this, on the interaction of a, z. B form-fitting and / or non-positive, releasable connection of several receiving compartments on or form together. In the case of corresponding connecting elements, it may be positive-locking elements, d. H. z. B. locking projections, or adhesion elements, d. H. z. B. bolt-like threaded elements, act, which is a positive or non-positive attachment of a receiving compartment to suitable counter-form-locking elements, d. H. z. B. locking receptacles, or on suitable counterforce elements, d. H. z. B. threaded holes allow another recording compartment.

The exposure device can comprise a plurality of exposure elements combined in particular into a plurality of groups, each of which is designed to generate an energy beam for selective exposure of a building material layer to be selectively solidified. The coating device may be arranged or formed between a first number of exposure elements, in particular a first group of a plurality of exposure elements, and a second number of exposure elements, in particular a second group of a plurality of exposure elements. Such an arrangement of the coating device between respective exposure elements of Exposure device is useful for the aforementioned realization of simultaneous coating and exposure operations during movement of the support member relative to the assembly. The arrangement may be implemented constructively such that a first number of exposure elements, in particular a first group of exposure elements, is arranged or formed on a first side region of the coating device, and a second number of exposure elements, in particular a second group of exposure elements, on one, in particular the first side region opposite, the second side region of the coating device is arranged or formed. Of course, such an arrangement can be realized by corresponding receiving compartments, so that in a first receiving compartment a first number or group of exposure elements, in a second receiving compartment adjacent to the second receiving compartment second receiving compartment at least one application element and at least one coating element and in an adjacent to the second receiving compartment third Receiving compartment a second number or group of exposure elements is arranged or formed.

The coating device basically comprises at least one application element and at least one coating element. With regard to the arrangement and number of respective application and coating elements, different configuration options of the coating device result:

According to a first exemplary configuration, the coating device may comprise a plurality of (directly) adjacently arranged coating elements and an optionally single application element. The application element may be adapted to apply a certain amount of building material between at least two coating elements on the construction level. The application element is thus arranged relative to the coating elements in such a way that it can apply building material into a gap formed by at least two directly adjacent coating elements. The coating elements can, for. B. in the vertical direction, between a coating position in which the formation of a defined or desired building material layer is possible, and a non-coating position in which the formation of a defined or desired building material layer is not possible to be movably mounted. Typically, in alternating sequence, one coating element is always moved to the coating position and one coating element is moved to the non-coating position.

According to a second exemplary configuration, the coating device may comprise a plurality of adjacently arranged application elements and a (single) coating element. The application elements may be adapted to apply a specific quantity of building material laterally adjacent to the coating element, which is typically arranged centrally or centrally between the respective application elements, onto the building level. A first application element or a group of first application elements can be left of the coating element and a second Applying element or a group of second application elements can be arranged or formed on the right of the coating element.

For any configuration applies that the application and coating elements - analogous to the exposure elements - typically in a defined position and orientation, in particular at a defined distance, are arranged relative to the carrier element or arranged to form a defined layer of building material.

In connection with the aforementioned simultaneous performance of coating and exposure processes, it is expedient for the carrier element to be arranged below a first position between a first carrier element section, in particular a carrier element section forming a first end of the carrier element, and a second position in which a second carrier element section, in particular a carrier element section forming a second end of the carrier element, is arranged below the coating device, is movably mounted.

Based on the first exemplary configuration of the coating device - applies in the case in the respective application and coating elements associated with the coating device between a first number of exposure elements, in particular a first group of exposure elements, and a second number of exposure elements, in particular a second group Exposure elements are arranged or formed - the formation of a layer of building material can be carried out on movement of the carrier element, starting from the first position in the direction of the second position via a first coating element. The application of building material between the coating elements takes place by means of a suitably arranged application element. In this case, the exposure of the formed building material layer during the movement of the carrier element in the direction of the second position can take place by means of at least one of the first number of associated exposure element. In an analogous manner, the formation of a layer of building material can take place on movement of the carrier element, starting from the second position in the direction of the first position via a second coating element. The application of building material between the coating elements again takes place by means of a suitably arranged application element. The exposure of the formed building material layer can take place during the movement of the carrier element in the direction of the first position by means of at least one of the second number of associated exposure element.

Based on the second exemplary configuration of the coating device - in the case in which respective application and coating elements of the coating device between a first number of exposure elements, in particular a first group of exposure elements, and a second number of exposure elements, in particular a second group of exposure elements, can be arranged or formed - the application of building material on the building level when moving the support member, starting from the first position in the direction of the second position via a first application element. The formation of the building material layer takes place by means of the (centric) arranged between the application elements coating element. The exposure of the building material layer formed by means of the coating element can take place during the movement of the carrier element in the direction of the second position by means of at least one of the first number of associated exposure elements. The application of building material to the building level can take place when the support element moves from the second position in the direction of the first position via a second application element. The construction material layer is again formed by means of the (centrally) arranged between the application elements coating element. The exposure of the building material layer formed by means of the coating element can take place during the movement of the carrier element in the direction of the first position by means of at least one of the second number of associated exposure element.

With regard to an exemplary plate-like or -shaped geometric shape of the carrier element, in the first position, a left end region of the carrier element may be arranged below the coating device. In the second position, a right end region of the carrier element can be arranged below the coating device. The movement of a carrier element located in the first position is accordingly to the left to move the carrier element in the second position. Accordingly, the movement of a carrier element located in the second position is accordingly to the right to move the carrier element in the first position.

Overall, with each horizontal movement of the support member relative to the assembly, i. H. regardless of whether it is moved in the direction of the first or second position, simultaneously an application, coating and an exposure process are performed ("plotter principle").

Individual, multiple or all exposure elements can be arranged or designed to be movable on the receiving structure in at least one degree of freedom of movement relative to the building plane. By a movable storage of respective exposure elements, different exposure profiles can be realized, via which diverse solidification parameters, eg. B. Verfestigungsgrade to vary a building material layer to be consolidated. A tempering of a building material layer to be consolidated or solidified by means of appropriately aligned exposure elements is also conceivable. Movements of an exposure element may include translational degrees of freedom of movement along at least one translation axis and / or rotational degrees of freedom of movement about at least one axis of rotation. Accordingly, a movement of an exposure element may be a linear movement along a linear movement axis (translation axis) and / or a rotational movement about an axis of rotation (rotation axis). Of course, individual, multiple or all exposure elements combined in different degrees of freedom of movement can be combined. In an analogous manner, corresponding coating elements can be moved in at least one degree of freedom of movement relative to the building plane at the ""

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Receiving structure arranged or formed. In this way, the mentioned movable mounting of a coating element between the mentioned coating and the mentioned non-coating position can be realized.

The device may comprise one of the coater, in particular respective application elements, assignable or associated storage device. The storage device is set up for storing building material. The storage device can be connected or connected to the coating device, in particular respective application elements, in such a way that a certain amount of building material can be supplied discontinuously or continuously via the storage device. The amount of building material supplied to the coating device is expedient to the movement of the carrier element, d. H. in particular the speed of the carrier element, adjusted relative to the assembly. For this purpose, the storage device can be connected to a data storage device in which certain movement profiles, in particular velocity profiles, of the carrier element are stored relative to the data in the data.

The carrier element, optionally the entire carrier device, is expediently vibration-decoupled from the device-side housing structure. In this way, the introduction of vibrations generated during movements of the carrier element relative to the assembly and a possible possible impairment of exposure processes are prevented. The vibration decoupling is achieved by means of suitable decoupling elements or structures connected between the carrier element or the carrier device and the module, ie. H. z. B. Elastomorelemente or structures realized.

The invention further relates to a method for the additive production of at least one three-dimensional object by successive layer-wise selective exposure and concomitant solidification of individual building material layers of solidifiable building material by means of at least one energy beam. The method may be a selective laser melting process (SLM process) or a selective laser sintering process (SLS process). The method is characterized in that a device as described for the additive production of at least one three-dimensional object is used. Consequently, all statements in the context of the device apply analogously to the process.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to embodiments in the drawing figures. Showing:

1 - 22 each a schematic diagram of an apparatus for the additive production of a three-dimensional object according to an embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a device 1 according to an embodiment. The ₁

Device 1 is used for the additive production of a three-dimensional object, d. H. For example, a technical component or a technical component group, by successively layerwise selective exposure and concomitant solidification of building material layers 9 of a solidified building material 2 by means of at least one energy beam 3. The successive layerwise selective solidification of respective building material layers 9 to be solidified such that one or more Energy beams 3 are selectively directed to certain to be solidified, respective layer-related cross-sectional geometries of the object to be produced corresponding areas of respective building material layers 9 ("selective exposure").

The solidifiable building material 2 is z. B. to a metal powder (mixture), d. H. z. For example, an aluminum powder (mixture) or steel powder (mixture). In the energy beam 3 is z. Example, to a laser beam, therefore, the device 1 for performing selective laser melting or selective laser sintering method is established.

The device 1 comprises a housing structure 4 in which the functional components of the device 1 required for carrying out additive construction processes are arranged or formed. The housing structure 4 comprises an inertizable process chamber 5. In the process chamber 5, a protective gas atmosphere, d. H. z. As an argon or nitrogen atmosphere, and / or a certain pressure level can be formed and maintained.

The device 1 comprises at least one combined coating and exposure assembly 6, which is referred to below as "assembly" for short. The assembly 6 comprises a coating device 8 and an exposure device 11.

The coating device 8 is for carrying out coating operations for the formation of selectively to be exposed or selectively to be consolidated building material layers 9 in the building level 10, d. H. the level at which appropriate coating and exposure operations are performed. In a respective coating operation, a building material layer 9 to be selectively exposed or selectively solidified is formed. The coating device 8 comprises one or more above the building level 10 arranged or formed, at least one application opening (unspecified), which typically via a movable between an open and closed position closing element (unspecified), comprehensive, application elements 27, 27 a , 27b, optionally in (parallel) adjacent arrangement and orientation, and one or more blade-like or coating-like coating elements 12, optionally in (parallel) adjacent arrangement and orientation.

The coating device 8 or the respective application elements 27, 27a, 27b is assigned a storage device 17. The storage device 17 is set up for storing building material 2. The storage device 17 is so with the ""

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Coating device 8 and the respective application elements 27, 27a, 27b connected that on the storage device 17 discontinuously or continuously a certain amount of building material 2 can be fed. The amount of building material 2 supplied to the coating device 8 can be explained by the movement of the carrier element 16 of a carrier device 15, which is explained below. H. in particular, the speed of the carrier element 16, be adjusted relative to the assembly 6.

The exposure device 11 is set up to carry out exposure processes for the selective exposure and concomitant selective solidification of building material layers 9 formed in the building level 10 by means of the coating device 8. In a respective exposure process, a building material layer 9 formed by means of the coating device 8 is selectively exposed and thus selectively solidified. The exposure device 1 1 comprises a plurality of exposure elements 13 arranged or formed above the construction plane 10. The exposure elements 13 are designed as laser diode elements. It would also be conceivable that it is at the exposure elements 13 with, z. B. arranged outside the housing structure 4, laser diode elements (not shown) coupled, in particular lenticular, optical elements or scanner elements as part of an optical scanner device is.

The assembly 6 is läg- or stationary, d. H. not movable, on the housing structure 4, d. H. typically arranged or formed on a wall belonging to the housing structure 4 or on a fastening device (not shown) arranged or formed on a wall belonging to one of the housing structure 4. The coating device 8 or the associated application elements 27 and coating elements 12 and the exposure device 11 or the associated exposure elements 13 are or are therefore located in a defined position, ie. H. in particular at a defined distance, and a defined orientation relative to the building level 10. The position-fixed arrangement of the assembly 6 on the housing structure 4 does not exclude that the assembly 6, z. B. for service and / or repair purposes, if necessary, can be solved by the housing structure 4. The assembly 6 can therefore be detachably fastened to the housing structure 4 (damage-free or non-destructive).

The position-fixed arrangement or design of the assembly 6 on the housing structure 4 is realized by a housing structure 4 fixed to the receiving structure 14, in which the coating device 8 and the exposure device 1 1 is structurally integrated, realized. The arrangement of the coating device 8 and the exposure device 1 1 in the receiving structure 14 results in a structurally compact embodiment of the assembly 6 and an exact positioning and orientation of the coating device 8 or the application and coating elements 12, 27 and the exposure device 9 or the exposure elements 13th relative to the building level 10. For its attachment to the housing structure 4, the receiving structure 14 with fastening elements (not specified), which are adapted to the receiving structure 4, z. B. positive and / or non-positive, on suitable counter-fastening elements (unspecified) "

- 15 - attach the housing structure 4. With appropriate fasteners may be traction elements, d. H. z. B. bolt-like threaded elements, act, which a frictional attachment of the receiving structure 4 to suitable counter-fastening elements, d. H. z. B. threaded holes, the housing structure 4 allow.

The receiving structure 14 comprises separate receiving compartments 14a, 14b, 14c for receiving the coating device 8 associated application and coating elements 12, 27 and for receiving the exposing device 8 associated exposure elements 13. each receiving compartments 14a - 14c may be to form the receiving structure 14, in particular horizontal direction, (damage or non-destructive) releasably connected to each other. The receiving structure 14 can therefore be made up of individual interconnectable receiving compartments 14a - 14c as needed, and therefore, if necessary, can be upgraded or disassembled. At the receiving compartments 14 a - 14 c suitable fasteners (not designated) are arranged or formed, on the interaction of a, z. B positive and / or non-positive, releasable connection of several receiving compartments 14a - 14c on or with each other form. In the case of corresponding connecting elements, it may be positive-locking elements, d. H. z. B. locking projections, or adhesion elements, d. H. z. B. bolt-like threaded elements, act, which a positive or non-positive attachment of a receiving compartment 14 a - 14 c to suitable counter-form-locking elements, d. H. z. B. locking receptacles, or on suitable counterforce elements, d. H. z. B. threaded holes, another receiving compartment 14 a - 14 c allow.

The arrangement of the application and coating elements 12, 27 and of the exposure elements 13 in respective receiving compartments 14a-14c is selected such that the application and coating elements 12, 27 between a first number of exposure elements 13, d. H. a first group of a plurality of exposure elements 13, and a second plurality of exposure elements 13, d. H. a second group of a plurality of exposure elements 13, is arranged. The arrangement is structurally implemented such that in a first receiving compartment 14a a first group of exposure elements 13, in at least one adjacent to the first receiving compartment 14b second (further) receiving compartment 14b the application and coating elements 12, 27 and in one to the second Receiving compartment 14 b adjacent third (further) receiving compartment 14 c, a second group of exposure elements 13 is arranged.

The device 1 furthermore comprises a carrier device 15. The carrier device 15 is associated with a plate-like or -shaped carrier element 16 which encompasses the construction plane 10. The construction level 10 is typically formed by the assembly 6 facing surface or side of the support member 16 before the start of an additive construction process. The carrier element 16 is - as indicated by the horizontally oriented double arrow - mounted in a horizontally oriented plane of movement or path relative to the assembly 6 movable. Upon movements of the support member 16 in the horizontally oriented ""

- 16 -

Motion plane or path is linear motion along a linear axis of motion (translational axis).

The support member 16 is - as indicated by the vertically aligned double arrow - in addition to the mobility in the horizontal plane of movement or web also mounted in a vertical plane of movement or web relative to the assembly 6 movable. The respective movements of the carrier element 16 in the vertically aligned plane of movement or trajectory are typically linear movements along a linear movement axis (translation axis), which are characteristic of corresponding additive manufacturing processes after a coating and exposure process has been carried out.

Movements of the carrier element 16 in the horizontal and / or vertical plane of movement or web are realized by means of one or more drive devices 18 that can be coupled or coupled to the carrier element 16, which will be discussed in greater detail below.

The structural design of the device 1 allows the movement of the support member 16 relative to the assembly 6 in a horizontal plane of movement or web; With reference to FIGS. 2 to 10 and FIGS. 1 1 - 20 it can be seen that the carrier element 16 is similar to the principle of a plotter in the horizontal plane of movement relative to the assembly 6 back and forth movable. With respective movements of the support member 16 relative to the assembly 6, both coating and exposure operations can be performed. Movements of the support member 16 relative to the assembly 6 thus allow both the application of building material 2, the formation of a defined building material layer 9 and a selective exposure of the formed building material layer 9. The application, coating and exposure thus takes place during the horizontal movement of the support member 16th relative to the assembly 6. The device 1 thus enables the simultaneous execution of application, coating and exposure processes, so that idle or non-productive times reduced, possibly even eliminated, and construction times can be optimized accordingly.

The simultaneous performance of application, coating and exposure processes will be explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic diagrams shown in FIGS. 2-10. Shown here is a first exemplary configuration of the coating device 8 with a plurality of (immediately) adjacently arranged coating elements 12a, 12b and an application element 27. The application element 27 is adapted to apply a certain quantity of building material between the coating elements 12a, 12b to the building level 10. The application element 27 is thus arranged relative to the coating elements 12a, 12b such that it can apply building material 2 into a gap formed by the immediately adjacent coating elements 12a, 12b. The coating elements 12a, 12b can by means of suitable drive means (not shown), for. In a vertical direction, between a coating position, in which the formation of a defined or desired building material layer 9 is possible, and a non-coating position, in which the formation of a defined or desired building material layer 9 is not possible, movably supported. Typically, in alternating sequence, a coating element 12a, 12b is always moved to the coating position and a coating element 12a, 12b is moved to the non-coating position.

The support member 16 is disposed between a first position (see Fig. 2) in which a first support member portion 16a, d. H. z. B. a first end portion (right end portion) of the support member 16 forming support member portion 16a, below the coating device 8 and the application member 27 is arranged, and a second position (see Fig. 6), in which a second support member portion 16b, d. H. z. B. a second end region of the support member 16 forming support member portion 16b, below the coating device 8 and the application element 27 is arranged movably mounted. In order to move the carrier element 16 located in the first position into the second position, a horizontal movement of the carrier element 16 takes place to the right. The horizontal movement of the carrier element 16 in the direction of the second position is indicated by the arrow P1 shown in FIGS. 2-6. Conversely, a horizontal movement of the support member 16 is to the left to move the carrier element located in the second position 16 in the first position. The horizontal movement of the carrier element 16 in the direction of the second position is indicated by the arrow P2 shown in FIGS. 6-10. In Fig. 10, the support member 16 is (again) moved to the first position. Of course, the first and the second position can be exchanged; The above explanations apply analogously.

Starting from the illustrated configuration, in which the application element 27 and the coating elements 12a, 12b are arranged between the first group of exposure elements 13a (FIGS. 2-10, to the right of the coating device 8) and the second group of exposure elements 13b (FIGS. On the left of the coating device 8), the formation of a layer of building material 9 during movement (see arrow P1) of the carrier element 16 proceeds from the first position (see Fig. 2) in the direction of the second position (see Fig. 6) a first (right) coating element 12a. The application of building material 2 in the space formed between the coating element 12a, 12b via the application element 27. In this context, Figs. 2-6 should be noted, based on which the horizontal movement of the support member 16 in the direction of arrow P1, starting from the 2 in the first position shown in FIG. 2 can be seen in the second position shown in FIG. The selective exposure of the formed building material layer 9 during the movement of the carrier element 16 in the direction of the second position takes place by means of the (right) exposure elements 13a associated with the first group. In an analogous manner, the formation of a further layer of building material 9 takes place on movement of the carrier element 16, starting from the second position (see Fig. 6) in the direction of the first position (see Fig. 2, 10) via a second coating element 12b. In this In connection, FIGS. 6-10 are to be observed, by means of which the horizontal movement of the carrier element 16 in the direction of the arrow P2 can be seen starting from the second position (back) shown in FIG. 6 into the first position shown in FIGS. 2, 10 , The selective exposure of the formed building material layer 9 during the movement of the carrier element 16 in the direction of the first position takes place by means of the (left) exposure elements 13b associated with the second group.

The simultaneous performance of application, coating and exposure processes will be explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic diagrams shown in FIGS. 1 to 19. Shown here is a second exemplary configuration of the coating device 8 with a plurality of adjacently disposed application elements 27a, 27b and a single centrally disposed between the application elements 27a, 27b coating element 12. A first application element 27a is left of the coating element 12 and a second application element 27b right of the coating element 12th arranged. The application elements 27a, 27b are each configured to apply a specific quantity of building material to the building level 10 laterally adjacent to the coating element 12 arranged centrally between the application elements 27a, 27b.

The carrier element 16 is in turn between a first position (see Fig. 1 1), in which a first carrier element portion 16 a, d. H. z. B. a first end portion (right end portion) of the support member 16 forming support member portion 16a, below which the first application member 27a is disposed, and a second position (see Fig .. 15), in which a second support member portion 16b, d. H. z. B. a second end region of the support member 16 forming support member portion 16b, is disposed below the second application member 27b, movably mounted. In order to move the carrier element 16 located in the first position into the second position, a horizontal movement of the carrier element 16 takes place to the right (cf., FIGS. 11-14, arrow P1). Conversely, horizontal movement of the carrier element 16 to the left takes place in order to move the carrier element 16 located in the second position into the first position (cf., FIGS. 15-19, arrow P2). In Fig. 19, the support member 16 is (again) moved to the first position. Of course, the first and the second position can be exchanged; The above statements again apply analogously.

Starting from the illustrated configuration, in which the application elements 27a, 27b and the coating element 12 are arranged between the first group of exposure elements 13a (FIGS. 11-19, to the right of the coating device 8) and the second group of exposure elements 13b (FIG. 19, to the left of the coating device 8), the application of building material 2 during movement (compare arrow P1) of the carrier element 16 takes place starting from the first position (see Fig. 2) in the direction of the second position (see Fig. 6 ) over the first (left) application member 27a. The construction of the layer of building material 9 takes place via the centric coating element 12. In this connection, FIGS. 11-15 are to be observed, with reference to which the horizontal movement of the support member 16 in the direction of arrow P1, starting from the first position shown in Fig. 1 1 in the second position shown in Fig. 15 is visible. The selective exposure of the formed building material layer 9 during the movement of the carrier element 16 in the direction of the second position takes place by means of the (right) exposure elements 13a associated with the first group. In an analogous manner, the application of further building material 2, which is necessary for the formation of a further layer of building material 9, takes place in the direction of the first position (see FIG. 11, 19) via movement of the support element 16, starting from the second position (see FIG second (right) application element 27b. The formation of the building material layer 9 again takes place via the centric coating element 12. In this connection, FIGS. 15-19 should be noted, on the basis of which the horizontal movement of the carrier element 16 in the direction of the arrow P2 starting from the second position (FIG. back) in the first position shown in Fig. 1 1, 19 can be seen. The selective exposure of the formed building material layer 9 during the movement of the carrier element 16 in the direction of the first position takes place by means of the (left) exposure elements 13b associated with the second group.

Essential for the additive manufacturing process is in all cases that the carrier element 16 moved to the second position before it is moved back into the first position, as indicated in FIGS. 6, 15 by the arrow P3, by a certain amount in the vertical direction moved, d. H. lowered, will. This vertical movement (lowering) of the carrier element 16 allows the formation of another selectively to be consolidated building material layer 9 on a previously selectively solidified building material layer 9 and the selective exposure of this building material layer 9 during the movement of the support member 16 back to the first position. In an analogous manner, the carrier element 16 moved back into the first position is moved by a certain amount in the vertical direction, i. H. lowered. This vertical movement of the support member 16 allows the formation of another selectively to be consolidated building material layer 9 on the previously selectively solidified building material layer 9 and the selective exposure of this building material layer 9 during the movement of the support member 16 back to the second position.

Overall, at each horizontal movement of the support member 16 relative to the assembly 6, d. H. regardless of whether it is moved in the direction of the first or second position, simultaneously an application, coating and an exposure process are performed ("plotter principle").

FIGS. 20, 21 each show a schematic representation of a device 1 according to a further exemplary embodiment. With reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 20, 21, different variants for realizing respective movements of the carrier element 16 in the horizontally aligned movement plane relative to the assembly 6 can be seen.

20, the carrier element 16 is arranged in a module-like housing structure 19 ("building container") movably mounted in the horizontal direction of the carrier device 15. The modular housing structure 19 is horizontal in the horizontal aligned movement plane relative to the positionally fixed assembly 6 movably mounted. So it is not the support member 16 itself, but the entire modular housing structure 19 in which the carrier element 16 is arranged, mounted in the horizontal direction relative to the assembly 6 movable. Movements of the support element 16 relative to the assembly 6 are thus obtained by movements of the modular housing structure 19 relative to the assembly 6. The support member 16 is arranged in a fixed position in the horizontal direction in the modular housing structure 19.

To drive, d. H. for displacing the modular housing structure 19 into a movement in the horizontally oriented movement plane relative to the assembly 6, the device 1 comprises a drive means 18. The drive means 18 is coupled to the modular housing structure 19 and for producing the modular housing structure 19 in the horizontally oriented Motion level set relative to the assembly moving driving force. The drive device 18 may be designed as a linear drive. Specifically, the drive device 18 z. B. be designed as a crank or spindle drive. To realize a guided movement of the modular housing structure 19 in the horizontal plane of movement or web can be a, z. B. rail-like guide means 20 may be arranged or formed in the device-side housing structure 4.

In the variant shown in FIG. 21, the carrier element 16 is arranged in a positionally fixed relative to the assembly 6 or formed, module-like housing structure 19 of the support means 15. Here, therefore, the carrier element 16 is movably mounted in (within) the modular housing structure 19 in the horizontally oriented movement plane relative to the assembly 6. The carrier element 16 is therefore mounted movably in the horizontal direction relative to the assembly 6. Movements of the carrier element 16 relative to the assembly 6 are thus obtained by actual movements of the carrier element 16 within and relative to the modular housing structure 19. The modular housing structure 19 is arranged in a fixed position on or in the device-side housing structure 4.

For driving, ie for the displacement of the support member 16 in a movement in the horizontally oriented movement plane relative to the assembly 6, the modular housing structure 19 comprises a drive means 18. The drive means 18 is coupled to the support member 16 and for generating a support member 16 in the horizontal aligned movement plane relative to the assembly 6 moving driving force. The drive device 18 may also be designed here as a linear drive. Sonach the drive means 18 also here z. B. be designed as a crank or spindle drive. To realize a guided movement of the support member 16 in the horizontal plane of movement or web, a, z. B. rail-like, guide means 20 may be arranged or formed in the modular housing structure 19. The guide device 20 may be movably supported in the vertical direction in order to realize a lowering of the carrier element 16. _

- 21 -

For the variants shown in FIGS. 20, 21 equally applies that the modular housing structure 19 in the manner of a swap body from the device-side housing structure 4 can be removed. The module-like housing structure 19 or the carrier device 15 can therefore be removed as needed from the device-side housing structure 4 and fastened, if necessary, to the device-side housing structure 4.

FIG. 22 shows a schematic representation of a device 1 according to a further exemplary embodiment. With reference to the embodiment shown in Fig. 22 it can be seen that in the receiving structure 14, d. H. In addition, functional elements of further functional components of the device 1 may be arranged or formed in respective receiving compartments 14a-14i provided for this purpose, and may thus be structurally integrated or arranged in the receiving structure 14. A corresponding arrangement or design of respective functional elements of further functional components of the device 1 equally requires that these further functional elements are also arranged or formed in a fixed position on the device-side housing structure 4.

In the case of the corresponding exemplary embodiment of the device 1, the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 22 is a suction device 21, a smoothing and / or planarizing device 22, and a detection device 23. The above-mentioned functional components of the device 1 or the functional elements associated therewith can be seen with respect to FIG centrally arranged coating device 8 in a symmetrical and thus redundant arrangement available.

The suction device 21 is designed for the extraction of building material 2 ("spatter") dissolved from a building material layer 9 and / or for the extraction of process gases resulting from the construction process As a result of the construction process, it is possible to arrange building material dissolved from a building material layer 9 and / or to extract process gases arising from the process of construction.) The suction elements 24 are arranged in the receiving compartments 14d, 14g arranged adjacent to the receiving compartments 14a, 14c receiving the exposure elements 13.

The smoothing and / or planarizing device 22 is designed for smoothing and / or planarizing selectively consolidated building material layers 9. The smoothing and / or planarizing device 22 comprises smoothing and / or planarizing elements 25, by means of which it can act mechanically on a selectively solidified building material layer 9, in order to remove process-related unevenness in the building material layer 9, ie, for example, crater-like elevations, ie Building material layer 9, to smooth or level before on this another layer of building material 9 is formed. The smoothing and / or planarization elements 25 are z. The smoothing and / or smoothing elements 25 are in the receiving compartments 14e, 14h arranged adjacent to the receiving compartments 14d, 14g accommodating the suction elements 24, for example as rotatable drivable grinding elements ("grinding rollers") arranged.

The detection device 23 is for detecting at least one of the quality of a to be consolidated and / or a selectively solidified building material layer 9, d. H. in particular their surface, descriptive detection size. The detection device 23 comprises detection elements 26, by means of which image data of a building material layer 9 to be consolidated and / or a selectively solidified can be recorded. The detection elements 26 are designed as optical image recording elements, in particular as cameras. The detection elements 26 are arranged in the receiving compartments 14 f, 14 i arranged adjacent to the accommodating compartments 14 e, 14 h accommodating the smoothing and / or smoothing elements 25.

Image data recorded by means of the detection elements 26 can be evaluated qualitatively or quantitatively by means of suitable evaluation algorithms with regard to certain detection parameters describing the quality of the construction material layer 9. With corresponding detection variables, it may be the quality of the building material layer 9 influencing characteristics, d. H. z. B. bumps, such as. B. crater-like elevations, irregularities, etc., a building material layer 9 act. The recorded and possibly correspondingly evaluated image data can be visualized by means of suitable visualization algorithms, so that a two- or three-dimensional (topological) image, in particular the surface, of a building material layer 9, is created and displayed on a suitable display device (not shown), which optionally forms part of the device 1, lets display.

For all exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, the carrier element 16, optionally the entire carrier device 15, may be vibration-decoupled from the device-side housing structure 4. In this way, the introduction of vibrations generated during movements of the carrier element 16 relative to the assembly 6 and a possible possible impairment of exposure processes is prevented. The vibration decoupling is by means of suitable between the support member 16 and the support means 15 and the assembly 6 switched decoupling elements (unspecified) or structures, d. H. z. B. Elastomorelemente or structures realized.

By means of the devices 1 shown in the figures, in each case a method for the additive production of a three-dimensional object can be realized by successive layerwise selective solidification of individual building material layers of hardenable building material 2 by means of at least one energy beam 3. The method can be a selective laser melting process (SLM process) or a selective laser sintering process (SLS process).

Individual, multiple or all of the features shown with respect to a particular embodiment may be applied to at least one other embodiment. - ^-

REFERENCE LIST Device

building materials

energy beam

housing structure

process chamber

module

coater

Building material layer

10 construction levels

11 exposure device

12 coating element

13 exposure element

14 recording structure

14a - i receiving compartment

15 carrier device

16 carrier element

17 storage device

18 drive device

19 modular housing structure

0 guide device

1 suction device

22 smoothing and / or flattening device

23 detection device

24 suction element

25 smoothing and / or flattening element

26 detection element

27 application element

P1 - P3 arrow

Claims

PAT EN TAN SPRU

1 . Device (1) for the additive production of a three-dimensional object by successively layerwise selective exposure and consequent selective solidification of building material layers (9) of hardenable building material (2) formed in a building plane (10) by means of at least one energy steel (3) comprising a housing structure ( 4), characterized by

a composite coating and exposure assembly (6) arranged or formed in a positionally fixed manner on the device-side housing structure (4) and comprising a coating device (8) for applying building material (2) to the construction plane (10) and for building material layers to be consolidated ( 9) is arranged in the building plane (10), and an exposure device (1 1) which is set up for the selective exposure of respective building material layers (9) formed by the coating device (8) in the building plane (10) comprises, and

- A support means (15) which at least one of the building level (10) comprehensive, in a horizontally oriented plane of movement relative to the combined coating and exposure assembly (6) movably mounted support member (16).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the carrier element (16) on or in a movably mounted, modular housing structure (19) of the carrier device (15) is arranged or formed, wherein the modular housing structure (19) in the horizontally oriented plane of movement relative to the combined coating and exposure assembly (6) is movably mounted, or the support member (16) on or in a fixed relative to the combined coating and exposure assembly (6) arranged or formed, module-like housing structure (19) of the support means (15 ), wherein the support member (16) is movably supported on or in the modular housing structure (19) in the horizontally oriented plane of movement relative to the combined coating and exposure assembly (6).

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by at least one with the modular housing structure (19) of the carrier device (15) or the carrier element (16) coupled or coupled drive means (18) which for generating a module-like housing structure (19) or the carrier element (16) is arranged in the horizontally oriented plane of movement relative to the combined coating and exposure assembly (6) moving driving force.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by

- A positionally fixed to the device-side housing structure (4) arranged or trained suction device (21), which for the construction process of construction material from a building material layer (9) dissolved building material and / or for the extraction of building process resulting process gases is established; and or

- A positionally fixed to the device-side housing structure (4) or arranged trained smoothing and / or planarizing device (22), which is arranged for at least partially smoothing and / or planarization of a selectively solidified building material layer, and / or

- A positionally fixed to the device-side housing structure (4) arranged or trained detection means (23), which is adapted to detect at least one of the quality of a to be solidified and / or a selectively consolidated building material layer (9) descriptive detection size.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a on the device-side housing structure (4) fixed receiving structure (14), in which at least the coating device (8) and the exposure device (1 1), and optionally additionally the suction device (21) and / or the smoothing and / or planarizing device (22) and / or the detection device (23) are structurally integrated or designed.

6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that the receiving structure (14) comprises a plurality of separate receiving compartments (14a - 14i), wherein each of the coating device (8) associated functional elements, in particular coating elements (12, 12a, 12b), and respective of the exposure device (1 1) associated functional elements, in particular exposure elements (13, 13a, 13b), and optionally respective the suction device (21) associated functional elements, in particular suction elements (24), and / or each of the smoothing and / or planarization (22) associated smoothing - And / or planarization elements (25) and / or respective of the detection device (23) associated detection elements (26) in these respectively associated separate receiving compartments (14a - 14i) can be arranged or arranged.

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that respective receiving compartments (14a - 14i) to form the receiving structure (149 detachably connected or connected to each other.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the exposure device (1 1) several, in particular grouped into several groups, exposure elements (13, 13 a, 13 b), each for generating an energy beam (3) for the selective exposure of a selective comprising building material layer (9) to be consolidated

the coating device (8) between a first number of exposure elements (13, 13a, 13b), in particular a first group of a plurality of exposure elements (13, 13a, 13b), and a second number of exposure elements (13, 13a, 13b), in particular a second Group of multiple exposure elements (13, 13a, 13b), arranged or formed.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coating device (8) a plurality of adjacently arranged application elements (27, 27 a, 27 b) and one, in particular blade-like or shaped, coating element (12), wherein the application elements (27, 27a, 27b) are adapted to apply a certain amount of building material laterally adjacent to the coating element (12) on the building level (10), or the coating device (8) a plurality of adjacent arranged , in particular blade-like, coating elements (12, 12a, 12b) and an application element (27), wherein the application element (27) is adapted to apply a certain amount of building material between at least two coating elements (12, 12a, 12b) Building level (10) apply.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier element (16) between a first position, in which a first carrier element portion (16a), in particular a first end of the carrier element (16) forming support element portion (16a), below the Coating device (8) is arranged,

and a second position, in which a second carrier element section (16b), in particular a support element section (16b) forming a second end of the carrier element (16), is arranged below the coating device (8).

1 1. Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the

Coating device (8) comprises a plurality of adjacently arranged, in particular blade-like, coating elements (12, 12a, 12b) and an application element (27), wherein the application element (27) is adapted to a certain amount of building material between at least two coating elements (12 , 12a, 12b) on the building plane (10), wherein the formation of a building material layer (9) on movement of the carrier element (16) from the first position towards the second position via a first coating element (12a) and the exposure of the formed Building material layer (9) during the movement of the support member (16) in the direction of the second position by means of at least one of the first number associated exposure element (13a) takes place, and

forming a building material layer (9) upon movement of the support member (16) from the second position toward the first position via a second coating member (12b) and exposing the formed building material layer (9) during movement of the support member (16) in the direction the first position takes place by means of at least one of the second number of associated exposure element (13b).

12. Device according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the coating device (8) comprises a plurality of adjacently arranged application elements (27, 27a, 27b) and a, in particular blade-like or -förmiges, coating element (12), wherein the application elements (27, 27a, 27b) are adapted to apply a certain amount of building material laterally adjacent to the coating element (12) on the building level (10), wherein the application of building material (2) on the building level (10) upon movement of the support member (16 ) starting from the first position in the direction of the second position via a first application element (27a) and the exposure of the building material layer (9) formed by the coating element (12) during the movement of the carrier element (16) in the direction of the second position by means of at least one of the first Number of associated exposure element (13a) takes place, and the application of building material (2) on the building level (10) when moving the support member (16) starting from the second position in the direction of the first position via a second application element (27b) and the exposure of During the movement of the carrier element (16) in the direction of the first position by means of at least one of the second number associated with exposure element (13b) takes place by means of the coating element (12) formed building material layer (9).

13. Device according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the carrier element (16), in particular in the first position and in the second position, is mounted vertically movable.

14. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the carrier element (16), optionally the entire carrier device (15), from the device-side housing structure (4) is vibration decoupled.

15. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by one of the coater (8), in particular one of the coater (8) associated application member (27, 27 a, 27 b) assignable or associated storage device (17), which for the storage of building material (2) wherein the storage device (17) is connectable or connected to the coating device (8) such that a certain amount of building material (2) can be fed to the coating device (8) discontinuously or continuously via the storage device (17).

16. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an exposure element (10) is designed as a laser diode element or as a coupled or coupled to a laser diode element, in particular lenticular optical element or as a scanner element as part of an optical scanner device or at least one comprising said elements.

17. A method for the additive production of at least one three-dimensional object by successively layerwise selective exposure and concomitant solidification of individual building material layers (9) of solidifiable building material (2) by means of at least one energy steel (3), characterized in that for the additive production of the at least one three-dimensional object a device (1) for the additive production of at least one three-dimensional object according to one of the preceding claims is used.